Ndume welcomes US security support

By Lawrence Agbo

Senator Ali Ndume has welcomed support from the United States in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, describing it as a window of opportunity the country must utilise.

Ndume made the statement on Friday on Politics Today on Channels Television, stating that the recent commitments from the US to assist in non-combat roles, particularly in areas where there are primary gaps in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations.

“It is a welcome development, we have been looking for it and we have to use the opportunity,” he stated.

Ndume said the primary gaps in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations remain training, equipment and intelligence.

“You know, I did ask questions and they are going to help us do what I have been saying, that is the major problem. Especially the three factors: Training, you know, equipment, and intelligence.”

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for increasing recruitment and defence allocations but warned that budget implementation remains a major setback.

“I’m happy that the president himself or the executive are responding positively to it in terms of increasing the number of boots on the ground, that is, recruitment and promotion.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in security, which is good. And then he has ordered the Nigerian army to increase the recruitment, he added.

Ndume also urged that defence spending be treated as a first-line charge to ensure timely and automatic disbursement, arguing that security and citizens’ welfare remain the constitutional purpose of government.

“So, one thing that the president now needs to do is to make sure that the budget of Ministry of Defense should go under, First-line charge.”

Drawing from personal experience in Borno State, he said communities devastated by insurgency would welcome foreign assistance if it restores peace.

“When your house is on fire, even if it is your enemy that brings water, you use it first to quench the fire,” he said.